The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-10-19

MASu SOllAIlehlOACu Ny A1ACl WViS OPEOSSo
to my administration. In the large
number Of appointments there may be,
and probably, were, some mistakes, but l
have invariably, on proper representations,
removed them when authorized BY law,
In the beginning Of the campaign it was
Nichols term of Office. But on an investiga-
ton of the record SO many earnest reformers
had voted for this measure that the state,
ment was withdrawn and it was announced
that Coy. Nichols had never been addressed
from the shoulders of the ring. This was
thought to be authentic until Don Gallery
came back and said that the ring did shorten
Gov. Nichols term. He forgot to look at his
recorded vote to find that he. too. voted for
so nnpatriotic measure.
The gentleman who introduced Gen. Mich
oils to the audience and people Of East Baton
Rouge, and as it was his first appearance be-
fore the people in advocacy of the principles
and
POLICY OF THE REFORM PARTY,
stated thatthe meetingwas not an agricultural
meeting, not an educational meeting. not 8
masks, and that it MAS emphatically Nichols
meeting. Thus ut the outset OF the cam
paisn Of this party we are told that the dear
est and most vital interests of the State are
to be ignored. What would be the condition
OF this State without her he agrlcu1l!t,ral pros.
population without the benefits and advan-
tx ges of education? What would be the dis
tress and suffering to her people and The loss
of wealth to the entire State by "a neglect of
her levees? Are these matters OF 80 little
Of one seeking the Executive Office Of the
State? Are these great interests to be
ignored, to be neglected for u policy of sen
tlment, OF personal government. OF third
term ideas, So far we have only learned
from the reform orators and canvassers that
they are opposed to personal government
and of third term in the Executive office;
TheAe are mere negative oppositions, and
we have not been favored with any progress
sive policy upon which the State government
shall be administered. On the contrary, we
barbecue that these great interests are to be
ignored And as they have progressed in their
campaign they have attempted to heap ridi-
cule upon me for the interest that l have
manifested in these great matters, which are
d!earer, to the people than any other. And it
AZ their speakers wave their tallsnanlc
wands 10 divert the people, were it not for
the presence of their candidate for Gov
ernor, whom the people respect for his hon
orable wounds. and the tritiing with the ma;
too serious even for the buffoonery of Don
Gallery to bring into ridicule and contempt.
Our public schools. public institutions and
public charities had beer! too long neglected.
and il seems as though the same indifference
ed snd controlled the administration of Gen ;
Nicholls. In relation 10 public schools, !
find in his messages but short reference to
them-tifteen lines in one half page column
in '7S and FIVE lines full page column in TO.
There has been since Icame into the Execu-
tive Office an increased
INTEREST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
The people of Louisiana have evinced
more interest in this matter than eve,
mach of this is due to the state Educationa
Society and the meetings which the people
have so frequ entity held in order to increase
this Interests and ! hope this sentiment may
receive still further encouragement and
everything that, the resources of the State
this great interest.
There were attending the public schools
in 1880 SO, $40 pupils: now the
attendance is 1876, 645, an increase in
1869 school buildings: now there are 1859.
There We're 1884 teachers employed; now
there are 2435.
This shows u marked improvement IN ou1
pubic schools. But much has to be yet done.
The State by adopting system Of local taxa
ton, which has been SO successful elsewhere,
can bring them by local boards under the
direct contro. of the community in which
they exist. and thus every citizen will be-
come interested in the school. and he can
see the direct beneficial application Of the
fund raised for the support Of the school in
this State institutes of teachers we're estab-
lshed under the administration of Superin-
tendent Fay, and have been continued under
Superintendent Easton. They have increased
In ehiciencyand usefulness, and each year they
go over the State and not only give useful
instruction in improved methods of teach.
ing, but awaken additional interest III edu-
cation.
For the purpose of educating teachers the
State established in 1884 normal school
This. has been of great value, and its increas
the patronage of the people.
A commodtous and convenient building
was erected last year for the use OF the Col
ored University. This institution had an a
tendance of 500 pupils ard is now estab
need another. instltutlon--an industrial col
lege for females-and hope the ladies of the
State will agitate this question until an ap
preparation is made FOR, it's establishment.
All of our educational institution we're In
connection with them commenced. TIT. Lou
is!aGa University and Agricultural and Me
chanical College had an indebtedness o.
SOB, 600, and nc, credit. There were NJ
arms or equipments for the cadets. Th,
lHebllltlOl - uON UuG VI tltUtf Will uiOllc.
in its treasury. the cadets armed and equip
ped with the cadet musket and the discipline
and morale of the cadets better than TO
many years, and the appliances for instruc
ton, laboratories, museums, library, schoo
furniture. ETC., greatly increased. The uni
fast becoming what its charter calls for, al
institution of learning of high grade. 1t i
an institution OF which the State may b
Justly proud. The, report Of the treasure
shows it to have funds in its treasury, an!
that it has no debts. and that it has paid cas-
| for all its necessities since | have been il
Office.
The Institute for tie Blind and the Inst
| tute for Deaf Mutes were bo.h financially EN-
| barrassed IN 1881, and the Board of Trus
mended to me the closing Of the institution
because of its financial condition. refuse
| to consent to its suspension, and by GOO
management on the part of the trustees
tlded over the disaster which seemed imin1
n men. These institutions, for want
| ceased to be what the law intended the
shonld Replaces of instruction for the, ul
| fortunate inmates. The discipline in bot
institutions is excellent the facilities efticien
and the presidents gentlemen OF execut,y
ability.
In the institution for deaf mutes the fa'
ulty is ample for instruction in oral and sig
exercises and IN lip reading and articulation
lhe best modes of instruction were adde
duling the past year, and instruction in Ii
reading and articulation has already accom-
| plished great results, and children are begiI
ming to readily understand by lip signs al
facial expression, and some have learned
articulate speech and converse with SON
tiuency. A printing press is in operation, b
which the pupils are taught type-setting an
the general management Of a press.
In the Institute for the Blind the eli
mentary and higher branches Of edncatio
are now taught, and music, in tustrisl trair
ing and INSTRUCTION are given, and tt
pupils have made fair progress in maxim
brooms, baskets and cane seats for chairs
In both institutions clothing. board an
maintenance are provided by the State an
great care and attention are bestowed on ii
children.
CHARITY HOSPITAL.
This great charity had deservedly hie
reputation before the present Board of A.
| mlnistrators were appointed by Inc. II
institution was OvercrOwded, deficient
Ventilation and sewerage, and in many a
p'lahces and conyeniences. An appeal WI
made by me to the people, and Mir. A..
May gave his services to solicit subscription
ard to awaken sympathy in behalf Of Il
institution. 1t was successful and withol
| Al CvA L. 4